The detained men are associated with oil, diesel and sandalwood smuggling.
Four days after the sensational killing of senior journalist J Dey, police have detained three persons, believed to be associated with gangster Chhota Shakeel, in connection with the murder.
"Three suspects - Anwar, Mateen Iqbal Hatela and Shaikh - have been picked up and their questioning is on to ascertain their possible role," a senior IPS officer with Crime Branch said.
However, another police official said only two persons, whom he did not identify, have been detained.
A car in possession of Anwar has been seized, the Crime Branch official said, adding that the vehicle was suspected to have been used in the June 11 murder in suburban Powai.
The trio was picked by Powai police from Mumbra in adjoining Thane district and handed over to Crime Branch, which is probing the case, the officer said.
"We have not arrested anybody so far. Let their questioning get over. Subsequently, we will take a call on their arrest," he said.
The trio were believed to be working for fugitive gangster Shakeel, a key aide of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, and their antecedents were being verified, he said.
During their questioning, the name of one Jaffar Quasim, suspected to be a sandalwood smuggler, has surfaced, the officer said.
Dey, 56, editor (special investigation), with Mid-day, who extensively covered underworld and crime for over two decades, was shot dead in broad daylight by four motorbike-borne assailants.
Meanwhile, chief minister Prithviraj Chavan told reporters after the Cabinet meeting that there were "some developments" in the Dey murder case probe.
"There are some developments (in the Dey murder case probe). Important breakthrough is expected soon," he said, but declined to elaborate, saying "you will be appropriately briefed (by the police)".
The chief minister said he had no information about any arrest in the case.
"Investigations are on the right track. Breakthrough is expected soon," home minister RR Patil told reporters after a meeting with Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik.
Chavan said a Cabinet sub-committee would be set up soon for preparing the draft bill for protection of the journalists.
The government hoped to table the bill in the assembly during the monsoon session of the State Legislature, he added.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}